Bedfordshire

Information

Bedfordshire bobbin lace is a braid/plait based straight lace. The designs usually involve a graceful clothwork trail that meanders through the design, and are usually curvilinear rather than geometric (except for the simplest ones). The ground is usually a 4 strand plait/braid, often with picots. The more complex designs often require threads to be constantly added and removed to achieve a good density.

Discussion Forum

Hi all: I have always only done torchon lace and am now learning to do Bedfordshire lace. I am looking for basic advice. How does one know when to leave the pins standing up and when to push them all…Continue

A lady I know that teaches also doesn’t like it & recomends Underwood. I have that book as well and actually pulled it out yesterday to see how she handles it. I think the design is OK, just the instructions. So far I haven’t had a problem with the Nottingham book, but this one is so confusing.

I just wanted other people’s opinions and make sure it isnt my silly brain. I will use the instructions that you sent me ages ago. They were so much clearer.

Jenny - I don't have that particular book of hers, but I do have some others. I have also found her directions sometimes confusing. And occasionally there are mistakes in the diagrams or patterns. But she is very good at designing patterns for learning purposes. I would not recommend her books for someone just beginning with a particular style of lace. I think the Underwood ;20 LESSONS is much clearer. But I still think Nottingham is valuable.